Gary Speed has revealed the secret of Newcastle United finally laying their London jinx, (writes ALAN OLIVER).

For the United party got stuck in the capital traffic and did not get to Highbury until 40 minutes before the game against Arsenal.

And Speed told me after the game: "We only got to the ground 40 minutes before the kick-off and this is not what we like to do.

"But having won at Arsenal last night we are now saying that we should do this for every game in London!"

Speed himself had a tremendous game as he went into last night's encounter without his sparring partner Robert Lee.

But the 32-year-old received magnificent support in the middle of the park, especially from Kieron Dyer who made his first Premiership start since last February.

Speed admitted: "Arsenal tore us to shreds in the opening stages and it didn't help when Robert Pires gave them the lead after 20 minutes and I was booked.

"But I was convinced there was a handball in there and all I did was to ask the referee to have a look at the big screen for himself.

"But after their goal we dug deep and I thought we defended magnificently. I always feel that if you can withstand the pressure for half an hour at the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool then you have a chance because the game opens out."

Speed himself was not at United the last time they won in London, in November 1997, and he could not disguise his delight at last night's result.

He said: "This was a great result for us. If you draw away from home in any Premiership game it's a good result but to come here and do what we did at Highbury is nothing short of fantastic."